Please enable JavaScript
2025 Advent Calendar: Sign up to get notified when it’s released
Smooth, refresh, and even out your under eyes with our targeted treatments

Smooth, refresh, and even out your under eyes with our targeted treatments

Library

Surfactants

Surfactants are cosmetic ingredients that reduce surface tension between two substances, thereby facilitating the mixing of water with fats. This cleansing and foaming power is achieved through their specific chemical structure: a hydrophilic part that attracts water and a lipophilic part that attracts oil. The role of surfactants extends beyond cleansing, influencing the texture, stability, and sensory properties of products.
Fonction cosmétique tensioactifs
What is the purpose of surfactants?
Read
What is "Coco Betaine" and what is its purpose?
4 min of readingWhat is "Coco Betaine" and what is its purpose?
What is "Coco-Glucoside" and what is its purpose?
4 min of readingWhat is "Coco-Glucoside" and what is its purpose?
Sodium lauryl sulfate
6 min of readingWhy doesn't Typology use sodium lauryl sulfate?
Sodium laureth sulfate
6 min of readingWhy doesn't Typology use sodium laureth sulfate?
FAQ about surfactants

How do surfactants work?

The surfactants have a hydrophilic part that attracts water and a lipophilic part that attracts oil, allowing them to capture fats and remove them during rinsing with water.

What are the types of surfactants?

There are four main types of surfactants : anionic, cationic, non-ionic, and amphoteric.

Are surfactants irritating?

This depends on the surfactants. It's true that some anionic surfactants, such as the sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and the ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), are often criticized for their irritating effects.

Do products exist without surfactants?

Yes, some products, particularly shampoos, are formulated without surfactants. These products clean using alternative agents such as absorbent powders (clay, cornstarch) that capture impurities and excess sebum, or emollients like vegetable oils and butters that dissolve dirt through lipid affinity.

Are surfactants biodegradable?

This depends on the surfactants. Some, such as alkylpolyglucosides, are indeed biodegradable.

Diagnostic

Understand your skin
and its complex needs.
Begin diagnostic test